Accomplishment: James eclipsed 2,000 points for his career against Mater Dei in the New Year’s Jump-Off at Don Bosco Tech Academy on New Year’s Day. The senior guard needed 17 points to reach the milestone and finished with 22, despite the Highwaymen coming up short, 59-55.

“His performance was outstanding. We were down as many as 18 points in that game and we came all the way back and cut it to one. He’s been a special player for four years. He’s a great competitor. He’s been a leader of back-to-back state championships.”

—Coach Jerome Smart

Also nominated: Peter Acciardi of Don Bosco, Michael O’Malley of Hasbrouck Heights, Matt Surich of Mahwah, and Gianni Manginelli of Dumont for wrestling; Quanzie Lumsden of Dwight Morrow for indoor track and field; Zach Matesic of Paramus/Lyndhurst/Hackensack for ice hockey; and Julian Chun of Bergen Catholic and Evan Custance of Wayne Valley for swimming.